Before Meghan Markle became the Duchess of Sussex and a member of the British royal family, she built a successful acting career and lived a private life in Hollywood. One part of that life included her first marriage to Trevor Engelson, a film producer. Although their relationship ended in 2013, it continues to generate interest because of Meghan’s later prominence as the wife of Prince Harry.
This article revisits their relationship, offering a fact-based account of their time together and how it shaped both of their lives. All details included are derived from reputable news outlets, verified interviews, and publicly available information.
Who Is Trevor Engelson?
Trevor Engelson was born in Great Neck, New York, in 1976. He pursued a career in the entertainment industry, working his way up in Hollywood as a producer and manager. Over the years, he became involved in producing films and television projects, focusing primarily on independent films.
Engelson’s career positioned him in Hollywood circles where he eventually met Meghan Markle, who was at the time pursuing acting roles while also working as a freelance calligrapher and doing small jobs to support herself.
Meghan Markle Before the Royal Spotlight
Meghan Markle was born in Los Angeles in 1981 and studied at Northwestern University, where she earned a degree in theater and international studies. Before gaining international fame as an actress on the legal drama Suits, Meghan took on a variety of small acting roles, including guest appearances on television shows such as CSI: NY, 90210, and Fringe.
Alongside her acting career, Meghan was also passionate about humanitarian causes. Even before her royal life, she supported gender equality initiatives and worked with organizations like World Vision and UN Women.
A Hollywood Love Story
Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson reportedly met in the mid-2000s and began dating as their careers developed in Los Angeles. After several years together, they married in September 2011 in a ceremony held in Jamaica. The wedding was attended by close friends and family, reflecting a private but joyful occasion.
During their marriage, Meghan’s acting career gained momentum. In 2011, she landed her breakthrough role as Rachel Zane on the USA Network drama Suits, which filmed in Toronto, Canada. The success of the series significantly increased her visibility in the entertainment industry.
Challenges of a Bi-Country Marriage
Although their relationship began with promise, Meghan and Trevor faced challenges due to geography and career demands. Suits was filmed in Toronto, while Engelson continued to work primarily in Los Angeles. This long-distance arrangement meant that they spent much of their marriage living in different cities.
According to reports from outlets such as Vanity Fair and The Telegraph, the strain of balancing careers in different countries contributed to difficulties in their marriage. In 2013, the couple filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
Life After Divorce
Both Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson moved forward with their lives following their split. Meghan continued starring in Suits and expanded her humanitarian work, which included traveling abroad and advocating for gender equality.
Her life changed dramatically in 2016, when she began dating Prince Harry. Their relationship became public later that year, leading to intense global media attention. Meghan and Prince Harry married in May 2018 at Windsor Castle, and she officially became the Duchess of Sussex.
Engelson also moved on personally and professionally. In 2019, he married nutritionist Tracey Kurland in California. The couple has since welcomed children together. Engelson has continued working in Hollywood, focusing on his career as a producer.
Public Interest in Their Story
The relationship between Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson remains a subject of public fascination primarily because of Meghan’s later role in the British royal family. While Meghan and Prince Harry have stepped back from official royal duties and now live in California, media outlets still revisit her past relationships to provide context to her life story.
It is important to note that Engelson has largely avoided making public comments about his marriage to Meghan. Most of the information about their relationship has come from public records, court filings, and reporting by established media outlets.
Meghan’s Transition to Public Life
Following her marriage to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle shifted from acting to public service and charitable initiatives. Together, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have launched the Archewell Foundation, which supports community initiatives, mental health awareness, and media literacy programs.
Her journey from Hollywood actress to member of the royal family has been widely covered by international media. The early chapter of her life with Trevor Engelson provides context for her resilience, adaptability, and professional drive.
Lessons From Their Relationship
The story of Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson reflects the challenges many couples face when balancing demanding careers, long-distance relationships, and personal ambitions. While their marriage was relatively short, it represented a formative period in Meghan’s life before her transition into one of the most recognized public figures in the world.
Engelson’s career and private life also demonstrate how individuals can move forward after divorce, focusing on new opportunities and building families outside of the media spotlight.
Legacy of Respectful Privacy
Both Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson have largely chosen to respect the privacy of their past relationship. Unlike many high-profile Hollywood divorces, theirs was handled quietly, without public disputes or extended media coverage at the time.
That discretion has allowed both individuals to continue their lives without ongoing conflict, focusing on new careers, relationships, and personal goals.
Conclusion
Trevor Engelson and Meghan Markle’s marriage is part of Meghan’s life story, offering insight into her years before entering the British royal family. Their relationship, which lasted from 2011 to 2013, reflected both the excitement of young Hollywood careers and the challenges of distance and ambition.
Today, Meghan Markle continues her philanthropic and media work alongside Prince Harry, while Trevor Engelson maintains his career as a film producer and family man. Their story remains a reminder that relationships, even when they end, shape personal growth and future paths.
By understanding this chapter of Meghan’s life, audiences gain a fuller picture of the journey that took her from Hollywood actress to global public figure.